Touch Pad Numeric Value Input via Multi-Touch Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in user convenience when inputting numeric values, as other information is often interfered with, requiring the display of icons or objects, which hampers the input process.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a processing unit, storage, and touch pad that updates numeric values based on touch position changes during a second touch operation while a first touch operation in a prescribed region continues, allowing for input without the need for explicit icon display, and includes features like updating values based on distance, direction, and duration of touch movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If icons or objects are displayed to represent files or functions, then visual information is provided to users, but the display region for numeric value input is reduced and user convenience is hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the numeric value input function from the general display area by detecting touch operations on specific regions of the touch panel. When a touch operation is detected in a prescribed region, the system extracts only the necessary numeric value input functionality, allowing full-screen or expanded numeric input without requiring icons to be displayed in the same space.
2Ease of operation
If a touch operation is detected in a prescribed region, then numeric value input is enabled, but the display of other information may be interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic display behavior where the touch panel's functionality changes based on detected touch operations. When a touch operation is detected in the prescribed region, the system dynamically switches to numeric value input mode, adjusting the display to accommodate the input operation while maintaining access to other information through the flexible touch interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a processing portion, a storage portion, and a touch pad. The processing portion is adapted to accept input of a value for a prescribed processing condition for an image forming job. The storage portion is adapted to store the value accepted by the processing portion. The touch pad is adapted to accept a touch operation. The processing portion updates the value stored in the storage portion based on a manner of change in touch position resulting from a second touch operation on the touch pad while a first touch operation in a prescribed region of the touch pad continues.